Downtown Vallejo streetscape plan unfolds on Virginia Street

As construction crews put the finishing touches on the Temple Art Lofts, the next phase of the downtown Vallejo streetscape improvements is in full swing in the 300 block of Virginia Street adjacent to the historic project.

Funded with state and federal grants, the street work includes a number of improvements, including new sidewalks, plus trees and street features to make the block more friendly to pedestrians, City Engineer Jill Mercurio said.

Other features include planters, trees, benches, better crosswalks, diagonal parking, new pavement and underground utilities.

The block is closed most of the time, but the city coordinates with the Empress Theatre and other local businesses to open the street to traffic during events, Mercurio said.